St. Pete's Premier Inshore Fishing Experience

Published Date: August 19, 2025
Fishing

Tampa
$500 - $700 price range

Summary

Get ready for a laid-back morning of fishing in the calm waters of Tampa Bay with Captain Andy. This 4-hour trip is perfect for beginners, families, or anyone looking to enjoy some time on the water without venturing too far offshore. You'll be targeting popular inshore species like snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout, with the chance to hook into some tarpon when they're in season. The early start takes advantage of cooler temperatures and more active fish, giving you the best shot at a great catch. All the gear you need is provided, so you can just show up ready to learn and have fun. Whether you're casting a line for the first time or just want a relaxing half-day on the water, Captain Andy will share his local knowledge and help you make the most of your time in St. Petersburg's productive fishing grounds. It's a great way to start your day and experience the natural beauty of Florida's Gulf Coast.

St. Pete's Premier Inshore Fishing Experience

Tampa Bay's Best Catches

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Foggy start, fire catch

Two snook fish caught while fishing in FL

Tampa views, hooked moods

Two anglers with redfish and grey snapper in St. Petersburg

Sunrise bites, Tampa light

St. Pete's Inshore Slam: Snook, Reds & Trout

Ready to hit the flats and backwaters of Tampa Bay for some of the best inshore fishing Florida has to offer? Captain Andy's got you covered with this half-day trip that'll have you casting for the coveted inshore slam before most folks have finished their morning coffee. Whether you're a total newbie or just looking to brush up on your skills, this 4-hour charter is the perfect way to experience the thriving fishery right in St. Petersburg's backyard. With all the gear provided and a pro at the helm, you'll be hooked up with some of Tampa Bay's most sought-after gamefish in no time.

What to Expect on the Water

We'll meet up bright and early at the marina, where Captain Andy will get you situated on his fully-rigged inshore skiff. As we idle out, you'll get the lowdown on the day's game plan and a quick refresher on casting techniques. Once we hit the spots, it's go time. We'll be poling along mangrove shorelines, drifting grass flats, and maybe even sight-fishing if conditions are right. The beauty of inshore fishing is how up-close and personal it gets – you might be flipping a lure under docks one minute and watching redfish tails in skinny water the next. And with a max of 4 anglers, there's plenty of elbow room and one-on-one instruction to go around.

Tackle Talk & Techniques

Leave your gear at home for this one – Captain Andy's got you covered with top-notch rods, reels, and tackle all included. We'll primarily be using light to medium spinning gear, perfect for casting soft plastics, topwater lures, and live bait when the bite calls for it. Depending on the species and conditions, you might find yourself working a popping cork for trout, slow-rolling a swimbait for snook, or free-lining a frisky pinfish to tempt a big red. The captain will show you the ropes on reading the water, identifying structure, and presenting your bait just right to get those fish fired up. By the end of the trip, you'll have a solid grasp on the fundamentals of inshore fishing that'll serve you well anywhere along the Gulf Coast.

Top Catches This Season

St. Petersburg's inshore waters are teeming with gamefish year-round, but here's the lowdown on our prime targets:

Snook: These hard-fighting linesiders are the rock stars of Tampa Bay. They love to ambush bait around mangroves, docks, and beach passes. Snook put up an acrobatic fight and are known for their tricky head shakes and powerful runs. Spring and fall are peak seasons when these fish are super active and hungry.

Redfish: Also called red drum, these copper-colored bruisers are a staple of inshore fishing. They've got a distinctive spot on their tail and pull like freight trains when hooked. Reds often cruise in schools, tailing in shallow water as they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall is prime time for big bull reds, but we catch them year-round.

Spotted Seatrout: Don't let their name fool you – these aren't your average trout. Speckled trout are aggressive feeders and great eating fish. They love to hang around grass flats and potholes, often striking topwater lures with explosive strikes. Winter and early spring see some of the biggest gator trout of the year.

Tarpon: While not an everyday catch, we do get shots at juvenile tarpon in the backcountry creeks and bayous. These mini-giants range from 10-30 pounds and put on an aerial show when hooked. Late spring through summer is prime tarpon time, but you never know when one might show up.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

St. Pete's inshore fishing scene is hard to beat. The diversity of species, year-round action, and stunning scenery keep anglers coming back for more. One day you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in gin-clear water, the next you're working mangrove shorelines for snook. The fishery is healthy and well-managed, meaning there's always a good chance of hooking into quality fish. Plus, with Tampa Bay's vast network of flats, islands, and backcountry, there's always a productive spot to fish no matter the weather. Captain Andy's local knowledge and laid-back approach make every trip both educational and fun – whether you're looking to learn new techniques or just enjoy a relaxing morning on the water.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're itching to get out on Tampa Bay and tangle with some of Florida's most popular inshore species, this trip is calling your name. With all gear provided, expert guidance from Captain Andy, and prime fishing grounds just minutes from the dock, it's the perfect way to kick off your day in St. Pete. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, you're in for a blast. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Give Captain Andy a shout, and get ready to make some memories (and hopefully fill the cooler) on the pristine waters of Tampa Bay. Tight lines!

Learn more about the species

Redfish

Redfish are one of Tampa Bay's most popular inshore targets, known for their copper color and distinctive tail spot. Most "reds" we catch run 18-27 inches, but bigger bulls cruise the flats too. You'll find them tailing in super shallow water, often with their backs out of the water. Spring and fall are prime seasons as water temperatures are ideal. Anglers love sight fishing for reds - it's a rush to stalk them and make the perfect cast. Their strong runs and excellent table quality add to the appeal. To up your odds, look for pushing water or mud boils in skinny areas, especially on low tides. A weedless gold spoon is tough to beat for searching water. When you hook up, let them make their initial run before applying pressure. Reds will often use their broad tails to "bulldoze" into structure, so be ready to steer them away.

Sea Trout

Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as we call them, are a staple of Tampa Bay fishing. These silvery predators with spotted sides usually run 15-20 inches and hang out over grass flats and sandy potholes. They're active year-round but really fire up in spring and fall. Trout are fun to catch on light tackle and make excellent table fare. Look for them in 3-6 feet of water, especially around tide changes. A popping cork rig with live shrimp is hard to beat, but artificial lures like soft plastics work great too. When you find one trout, there's usually more nearby. Keep your bait moving with subtle twitches to trigger strikes. Seatrout have soft mouths, so set the hook gently and keep steady pressure to avoid losing them.

Snook

Snook are one of Tampa Bay's most prized inshore gamefish. These sleek predators typically run 24-36 inches long and put up an incredible fight. You'll find them lurking around mangroves, docks, and other structure in shallow water. Spring and fall are prime seasons as snook move between their summer and winter haunts. Anglers love targeting snook for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic leaps when hooked. Their firm white meat is delicious too, though harvesting is strictly regulated. To boost your chances, try freelining live bait like pinfish or pilchards around likely ambush spots during low light periods. When a snook hits, be ready - they'll often make a blistering first run straight for the nearest structure. Patience and a smooth drag are key to landing these wily fighters.

Tarpon

Tarpon are the kings of Tampa Bay, and hooking one is an experience you won't forget. These prehistoric beasts can top 150 pounds and leap clear out of the water when hooked. Look for them rolling and gulping air in deeper channels and passes from late spring through summer. Tarpon fishing is all about the thrill of the chase and battle - they're strictly catch and release. When you see a school, lead them with your cast and be ready for an explosive strike. Once hooked up, expect a long, grueling fight with multiple jumps. Keep steady pressure and let them run to tire out. Pound for pound, there's no inshore fish that fights harder. Pro tip: Use circle hooks to improve hookups and make releases easier on these iconic gamefish.

About the Robalo (Center console)

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 30

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 300

Captain Andy's inshore fishing charter in St. Petersburg offers a laid-back morning on Tampa Bay's calm waters. Perfect for newcomers, families, or anyone wanting to cast a line without venturing too far out, this 4-hour trip targets local favorites like snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout. You might even hook into a tarpon during the right season. The early start takes advantage of cooler temperatures when fish are most active. With all gear, licenses, and bait provided, you can focus on enjoying the experience and learning from a local expert. Whether you're a first-timer or just looking for a relaxing half-day on the water, this trip provides a fun, educational outing in the rich fishing grounds of Tampa Bay. It's a great way to start your day and maybe land your next big catch.

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